Multifamily Women of Influence

Donna Summers

Growing up in a small town, Donna Summers always envisioned herself as a nurse, due to her mother’s role in the field, but when she interviewed for a part-time job as a leasing consultant, she inadvertently jump-started her career in the multifamily industry.

“The regional manager at the time asked me where I wanted to be in five years, so I looked at him and said, ‘I want your job,’ ” says Summers. “He then not only gave me the job, but gave me the assistant manager job. From that point, I just continued to move up until I’m in the position I’m in today.”

From the initial assistant manager position, Summers spent 11 years in a variety of operational roles with Gables Residential. Upon leaving Gables, she worked for companies such as Archstone and Greystar in various positions operating product for both owned and third-party clients. But in 2005, she decided to return to the company where it all began.

“I tell everyone coming back to Gables was like coming home because I started my career here,” she states. “Gables has such a long history and so many great roots, particularly with women, so coming back was really comforting.”

Today, Summers has over 34 years of experience in the property management industry, with 26 of those years with Gables.

In 2020, the company promoted Summers to president of Gables Management, where she leads the operations and handles additional responsibilities to grow the portfolio and drive operational performance. Before her promotion, Summers was a senior vice president of operations and managed day-to-day operations and revenue management for the Gables-owned, joint-venture, and third-party portfolios.

“I think being with a company as long as I have and being able to reach the levels I’ve been able to reach, given that I was a girl from a small town, has really meant a lot to me,” says Summers. “The multifamily industry and my career have treated me very well. I have always loved it because there’s always a different challenge and you do something different every day.”

Summers also holds her CPM certification, is an active member of the Institute of Real Estate Management, and has served on the board of directors and legislative committee for the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas.